Analysis of gadolinium magnetic resonance in inner ear by tympanic membrane puncture in 1 126 cases

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the success rate, safety and repeatability of gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced inner ear magnetic resonance (MR) by tympanic membrane puncture. Methods: The imaging and clinical data of 1 126 cases with Gd-enhanced inner ear MR by tympanic membrane puncture from February 2010 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. All cases were reexamined in the outpatient clinic after MR gadolinium contrast to check the tympanic membrane and external auditory canal. The success rate was identified by whether there was gadolinium contrast in the labyrinth. Meanwhile, the pure tone hearing threshold data of asymptomatic ears before and after gadolinium contrast was collected and compared. The consistency in the scores of the asymptomatic ears in patients who underwent twice Gd-enhanced MR was analyzed, in which the scores of vestibular, cochlea, and semicircular canals were acquired respectively. Results: Among 1 126 patients [including 506 males and 620 females, aged (54±17) years old], 45 were reviewed once, while 4 patients were reviewed twice. There were 958 cases who were examined on both sides, and 168 cases were checked only on one side. There were 166 cases of Meniere's disease (14.7%), 219 cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (19.5%) and 741 cases of being remained to be investigated (65.8%), respectively. A total of 2 084 ears underwent first gadolinium angiography, of which 63 ears had no contrast agent in the labyrinth, with a success rate of 97.0% (2 021/2 084). Only 1 case had tympanic membrane perforation while the rest had no complications. The hearing threshold before and after otography in 57 asymptomatic ears had no differences at any frequency (all P>0.05). Moreover, the consistency in the scores of two radiography within the 21 asymptomatic ears in vestibular and cochlea was good [both intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values>0.75]. Conclusion: The success rate and safety of Gd-enhanced inner ear MR is high by tympanic membrane puncture, and the results can be repeated well.